Profile: Lyon was given a silly contract from Astros’ GM Ed Wade after he produced a shiny ERA and nothing else during his 2009 stint with the Tigers. However, Lyon wasn’t viewed as Houston’s ninth-inning guy until the last two months of the season, and he only got promoted thanks to Matt Lindstrom’s injuries. Lyon’s strikeout rates are always below average, which is especially troubling for a late-inning reliever. Plus, for the third time in the past four seasons, Lyon sported a K/BB ratio of under 2.00. While Lyon has beaten FIP the past two seasons, his career ERA and career FIP are a mere .05 apart, so we shouldn’t expect it to happen again. While Lyon will likely hold onto the closer job and could record around 30 saves this year, that doesn’t mean he should be on your radar. He doesn’t strike enough hitters out to support a mediocre walk rate, and if his ERA is below 4.00 again, color me surprised. I’m staying away from Lyon unless I’m in an NL-only league, and even then I’m skeptical. (Zach Sanders)

The Quick Opinion: Lyon isn't much more than a middle reliever, but the Astros' seem comfortable using him late in games. Even if he does collect 30 saves, you'd be better off looking elsewhere for relief help.

Profile: Lyon's disaster 2011 season (11.48 ERA, 7.15 FIP, 2.40 WHIP) was mercifully cut short by major shoulder problems, including a torn labrum and biceps tendon. The 32-year-old is tentatively scheduled to be ready for the start of the season, but if he loses any more of his already fringy stuff, he'll be completely unrosterable. Even when healthy, Lyon was a low-strikeout (hasn't topped 7.00 strikeouts per nine since 2003) reliever that was becoming more and more prone to walks in his early-30's. He's also been homer prone for most of his career, and Minute Maid Park won't be forgiving in that department. Lyon is owed a bunch of money and could win the Astros' closer job almost by default, but he would be the riskiest ninth inning guy in the league. Proceed with extreme caution. (Mike Axisa)

The Quick Opinion: Lyon could get the Astros' closer job by default because he's a Proven Veteran and will be paid a ton of money, but major shoulder surgery could further sap his already fringy stuff. Be very careful, the blowup potential is huge.

Profile: Brandon struggled in 2011, showing a 11.48
ERA and 2.40 WHIP and eventually succumbing to shoulder surgery. Since
coming back from the surgery, the 33-year-old right-hander has
thrived. Even with a career-low fastball speed (90.2 mph), he posted
a career-high strikeout rate (9.3 strikeouts per nine, 24.4 K%) in 2012. Along with fewer than three walks per nine, he was able to post a strikeout-to-walk ratio over three for the first time since
2008. Additionally, he produced a nice 3.10 ERA and a career low 3.23
FIP. Now that Lyon has signed with the Mets, there is a chance that he accrues some saves. Frank Francisco is already hurting, and the team has been reluctant to close out games with Bobby Parnell in the past. We can still wonder how many saves Lyon might end up with, and of course where all those strikeouts came from. (Jeff Zimmerman)

The Quick Opinion: Brandon Lyon seems to have recovered
from shoulder surgery -- and then some. Where did all those strikeouts come from?